Can body forming machine



July 10, 1934. M. 1.. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov.28, 1932 11 Sheets Sheet 1 July 10, 1934. M. L; DODGE ET AL 1, 0

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1932 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 KINVENTORS NERMA/ 1.. 00065 P401. E P514250! ATTORNEY5 July 10, 1934. M.L. DODGE El AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Shet 5 Filed Nov. 28,l932 ATTORN EY July 10, 1934. M, L. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINEFiled Nov. 28, 1932 f0 77 7/ m5 5/ I 52 75 75 L M /02 11 Sheets-Sheet 4A llllllllllllllll"IIIIIIIIIII igliliq'i BY, 50% %o.% Tm

ATTORNEYS y 1934- Q I M. 1.. DODGE ET AL 1,966,380

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE a ATTORNEYS y 1934- M. 1.. DODGE ET AL CAN BODYFORMING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 28, 1932 M 5 M a V 5 m g mm A g P n k OM M ililliliiii 1:1 H m N: v. 5 x 1 E N.

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M. L. DODGE ET AL 1 1,966,380

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1952 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 $3 ($3 CECED INVENTORS NffiTO/Y L. DODGE PHUL E PEHESO/V g 6% 517% v ATTORNEYSJuly 10, 193 M. L. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28,1952 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 ATT RNEYS July 10, 1934. M, L D DGE ET AL1,966,380

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1932 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 Q jhmmun! I INVENTORS ERTO/V L. 00065 40L 5. P4RJON ATTORNEYS July 10,1934. ML. DODGE ET AL CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1932 llSheets-Sheet ll INVENTO NERTO/V L Y- W ATTORNEYS Patented July 10, 1934UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE York ApplicationNovember 28, 1932, Serial No. 644,732

39 Claims.

This invention relates to can body forming machines and moreparticularly to a machine whereby can bodies, formed fiat, may berounded out into cylindrical form, or to whatever open form they are toassume in use.

Explanatory to the invention, it will here be stated that it is presentday practice of some can manufacturers to form tin can bodies in theflat, or to flatten them after formation as a means of reducing thespace otherwise required by them for shipment, or storage. Then, afterthey have been shipped while flat to their point of use, they are thereopened out into'body form, and the ends applied thereto. An applicationfor patent filed by Nelson Troyer and Merton L. Dodge on March 18, 1932under Serial No. 599,821, discloses one kind of machine for theformation of flat can bodies. The present machine is designed for theopening out and shaping of these,.or similarly formed can bodies tocylindrical form so that the ends may be applied c thereto. 1

It is the principal object of the present invention-to provide a canbody forming machine for the above purpose that is fully automatic;operable at high speed to open the flat formed bodies to cylindricalform, and to operate thereon for the removal therefrom of side creases,which are resultant to their being formed fiat, without scratching orotherwise marring their internal or external surfaces.

More specifically stated, it is the object of this invention to providea machine in which there is a cylindrical forming horn, tapered at oneend to facilitate the applying of the flat can bodies thereonto and inwhich machine there are certain feed devices operable to deliver thefiat formed can bodies, in succession, from a supply hopper onto thehorn along the tapered end,

with other device synchronized with the first devices for advancing thebodies along the horn so that they will be opened out and permanentlyshaped to body form. 1

It is also an object of the invention to provide cooperating bumpers,synchronized in their action with the can advancing mechanism, tooperate against the cans in succession while disposed on the cylindricalportion of the horn, thereby to iron out the creases in the oppositesides thereof which are incident to their flat formation, and thereby tofinally shape the bodies.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a feedmechanism which operates to apply inward pressure against the oppositeside edges of the fiat'formed bodies as they are advanced onto the horn,thereby to cause them to be opened out by this inward pressure and thusrelieved of internal frictional contact with the horn that otherwisewould result if the opening was the result'of their advancement onto thehorn along its tapered portion.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a floatingforming horn along which the cans are delivered. Also, inthe provisionof a floating support for the paired bumpers, that are operable againstthe bodies from opposite sides in ironing out the side creases, in orderto compensate for any possible misalinement of parts and to effect anequalization of the bumping forces applied against the body fromopposite sides of the horn.

It is also an object to provide easy and quick withdrawal of the upperhorn supports to permit ready removal of the horn.

Still another object of the invention resides in ,the provision of novelhorn expandingmeans about which the can bodies are successivelypositioned for the crease eliminating operation, and for final shaping;I

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction ofthe forming horn, and in its supporting means. Also, in the mechanismwhereby the supporting means are actuated in synchronism with the feeddevices, away from supporting contact with the horn for travel of thecan bodies therealong without releasing the horn.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the various details ofconstruction, in the combination of parts and in their mode of opera--tion, as will hereinafter be described.

In accomplishing these and other objects, we have provided the improveddetails of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a plan, or top view, of acan body forming machine constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 isa sectional view of the machine, as viewed on the verticalplane of line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2illustrating the can body storage hopper, the can feed screws and thefeed screw driving mechanism.

Fig. 3a is-an enlarged fragmental detail of the feedmechanism.

Fig. 4 is a cross'section of the machine taken substantially on the line44 in Fig. l, particularly illustrating the actuating means for an upperand lower horn support.

Fig. 4a is an enlarged plan view of a removable mounting bushing for oneof the horn supporting push rods.

Fig. 4b is a section on line 4b4b in Fig. 4a.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the machine at the bumping station, takensubstantially on the line 55 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view substantially in the horizontal plane of line66 in Fig. 2, illustrating the cam shaft drive gearing, the feed slidecrank shaft, and the bumper actuating eccentrics.

Fig. '7 is a top view, partly in section, of the forming horn.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the horn, in its longitudinal verticalplane.

Figs. 9 and 10 are cross sectional views of the horn, taken respectivelyon the lines 9-9 and 10-10 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail of the wing expander mechanismof the forming horn.

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of that part of the horn mounting thewings and wing ex'- pander mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a cross section, taken on the line 13-13 in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a part of the feed mechanism, particularlyillustrating the reciprocating feed slides for intermittently advancingthe can bodies along the forming horn.

Fig. 15 is a cross section on line 1515 in Fig. 16.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section, as on line 16l6 in Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a vertical cross section on line 17-17 in Fig. 14.

Fig. 18 is a detail showing the paired rolls arranged for guiding thecans onto the tapered pilot of the forming horn.

Fig. 19 is a side view of the guilding rolls and their mountings.

Fig. 20 is a view showing the can body as it is originally shaped forstorage.

Fig. 20a is a similar view of the can body partially opened by thetapered end of the man drel onto which the can body is forced.

Fig. 20b is a perspective view showing a can body as fully opened by themandrel preparatory to the bumping of the sharply curved edge portionsthereof.

Fig. 200 is a perspective view showing the can body as bumped and fullyrounded into cylindrical form.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of one of the bumper units.

Fig. 22 is a vertical cross section of the unit, as seen on line 22-22in Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 24 is a view in perspective diagrammatically showing the drivingsystem.

Briefly described, the machine 'in a preferred construction comprises acast main frame structure designed for mounting the various operatingdevices and their driving gear. At one end of this frame is a hopper forcontaining a stack of flat formed can bodies and adjacent the oppositesides of the hopper, at its lower end, are feed screws, revolving inunison to deliver the flat formed bodies, one at a time, into a guidewayalong which they are advanced by conveyer chains onto the tapered end ofa shaping or forming horn. This horn is supported horizontally, andextends lengthwise of the machine and as the cans are delivered insuccession thereonto, they are taken up by paired feed chains thatoperate along opposite sides of the horn and which are equipped withfeed lugs which engage with the cans to advance them onto the horn whilepressure is applied inwardly against opposite side edges of the cans bythese feed chains to effect the spreading or opening out of the bodies.Reciprocating feed slides take up the bodies as they are successivelydelivered thereto by the paired chains and operate to advance them, byintermittent movements, onto and then from a portion of the horn whichis expanded after a can is located thereon, to draw the body wall taut.Bumpers arranged at opposite sides of the horn are then actuated againstthe body wall while it is drawn taut to press out the edge creases,resulting from their flat formation, thereby leaving the body in'itsfinal form. Other feed chains, operating in timing with the feed slides,then take up and advance the finished bodies along the horn and deliverthem from the machine.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- 1 designates the main framestructure of the machine completely housing the internal mechanism andincluding a substantially flat top wall, or bed, 2 upon which variousparts of the machine are mounted. At one end of the bed, a base casing 3for the hopper mechanism is securely mounted; this being a sort of openrectangular frame, flanged as seen at 3a in Fig. 2, to receive bolts 4therethrough for attaching it to the bed.

Mounted upon the base casting 3 are similarly formed, paired castings 55adjustable from and toward each other in a keyway 6 transversely of thebase 3 and equipped with base flanges 5a through which attaching bolts'1 are projected; the head portions 1a being slidably retained withintransverse key slots 8 in the top -wall of base 3 to permit of lateraladjustment of these parts to accommodate can bodies of different widths.

Fixed upon each of the castings 55 are complemental, upright frames 9-9arranged so that 115 all together they provide a hopper within which asupply stack of flat formed can bodies 10 may be contained'to feeddownwardly, by gravity, as the bodies are delivered successively fromthe lower end of the hopper into the machine. These frames 9-9' areadjustable from and toward each other on these supports to accommodatecans of different lengths or heights, and since the bearings or supports55 are adjustable from and toward each other, this provides foraccommodating flat cans of difierent widths.

Integral with the castings 55 are bearing portions 11-11' extendeddownwardly within the casting 3. Rotatably mounted in these bearings areshort, vertically disposed shafts 12-12'. 130 At their upper ends theshafts 12-12' are equipped, respectively, with feed screws 13-13 and attheir lower ends, bevel gears 14-14 are secured thereon in mesh withdriving gears 1515' keyed on a shaft 16 that extends transversely of themachine and is revoluble within bearings 17 and 18 provided therefor inthe main frame structure, as seen in Fig. 3. Shaft 16 is equipped at oneend with a driving gear 20 driven from the main drive shaft of themachine, as will presently be fully described.

The feed screws 13-13 are right and left hand screws respectively, andare disposed adjacent the base of the hopper at opposite sides thereofto be rotatably driven in unison and in opposite directions by theirmounting shafts 12-12' through the gearing described. The flat canbodies 10, when placed in the hopper are axially lengthwise of themachine and have their rounded opposite side edges 10a--10a disposed in150 position to be engaged by the feed screws. The pitch of each screwis such as to receive but one can at a time between its threads. Thus,for each rotation of the feed screws, one can body will be delivereddownwardly from the hopper.

The can bodies are delivered in succession from the hopper into aguideway leading forwardly to the receiving end of the forming horn. Theguideway is formed by two spaced angle bars 21- 21' that are bolted tothe casting 5-5 and which have vertical flanges 21a serving as supportson which the cans are moved to the horn;

A- pair of parallel sprocket chain conveyer belts 2222' operatelengthwise of the guideway as seen in Figures 1 and 2 and are supportedin their travel-by the angle bars, as seen in Fig. 3a.

The belts 22 22, at their receiving ends, extend about supportingsprocket wheels 23-23 revoluble on spindle bolts 24-24 fixed in brackets2525 attached to the castings 5 and 5'. At their delivery ends, theyextend about sprocket wheels 26-26 keyed on a driven cross shaft 27revolubly mounted across the main frame, transversely beneath thereceiving end of the forming horn, as seen in Fig. 2. The shaft 27 issupported in bearings 27a attached to box 3 and is driven through themedium. of a chain belt 28 operating abouta sprocket wheel 29 keyed onone end of shaft 27 and about a sprocket wheel 30 fixed on a drivencross shaft 31 supported transversely and within suitable bearings 31aprovided therefor in themain frame, as seen 'in Fig. 4.

As the can bodies are successively delivered by the feed screws '13-13'into the guideway leading to the forming horn, they are taken up andadvanced by the belts 22-22; these being equipped at definitely spacedintervals with paired lugs 22:; for'engaging the ends of the bodies topush them onto the receiving end of the horn.

To drive the machine, we provide it with a main driveshaft 32. Thisextends substantially the length of the machine along one side of themain frame and is revolubly mounted in suitable bearings, as at 33, andis driven through the medium of a belt pulley wheel 34 on one endthereof. At the other end of this main shaft, as observed best in Fig.24, is a bevel gear 35 in driving mesh with the gear 20 on the feedscrew drive shaft 16. Also, there is a bevel gear 36 keyed on the mainshaft in driving mesh with a bevel gear 37 fixed on the cross shaft 31from which the feed chains are driven. Thus, by reason of the crossshafts both being connected with the main drive shaft, the feed screws1313' and conveyer chain belts may without difliculty be synchronouslyoperated.

The forming horn is horizontally disposed and extends longitudinally ofthe machine in direct alinement with the guideway from the hopper so asto receive the cans delivered by the conveyer belts 2222' directlythereonto. The horn issecured in place at'each end through the mediacyof an upper and a lower series of reciprocable push rods, as will laterbe described in detail. At its receiving end the horn is symmetrical-,ly tapered for reception of the fiat cans thereonto as illustrated byFigures 8, 9 and 10. The receiving end is also widened, as seen in Fig.7, substantially to the width of the flat can body and the transverseedge 40a at thehorn end, resultant to the tapering and flattening, isangularly inclined relative to the axial line of the horn, and at itsforward terminus this edge portion projects forwardly in a point 41serving as an entering pilot for guiding the flat can bodies onto thehorn.

This pilot enters the ends of the cans, as delivered thereto, closelywithin the edge 10a-and thereby makes possible the easy advancement ofthe cans onto the horn even though the end edges of the walls of thecans might be bent irregularly or even flattened tightly together.

To aid in the guiding of the cans onto the pilot or point 41, a pair ofguide rollers 4242', as seen in Figs. 1, 18 and 19, are supported fromthe casting 5 by a bracket 43 to receive the side edge portion of thecan bodies between. them, and since these rolls, respectively, aredisposed directly above and below the pilot 41 they operate to guide thecan onto the pilot as they are advanced thereto by the feed chains.

It will be observed, by reference to Fig. 1, that the bracket 43 isattached by bolt 44 to the casting or bearing 5', then by reference toFig. 19 it is observed that the rolls 42-42 are mounted respectively atthe inner ends of paired levers 45 and 46, pivotally attached by bolts47-47 to the bracket. A coiled spring 48 is mounted between the outerends of these levers to urge them apart, thereby to yieldingly urge therollers toward each other and against upper and lower sides of thepilot. Thus, when a can isadvanced between the rolls, they open apart toreceive it and accurately guide it onto the pilot. 4

At the time the cans are delivered'onto the receiving end of the horn,they are substantially in the flattened form seen at 10 in Fig. 20.Then, as they are farther advanced onto the horn along the taperedportion they are opened out and at one time assume the form 10b. Afterthey have been advanced about the main body of the horn they are in theform as seen at 100. In this latter form it is observed that the bodystill retains to some extent the opposite side creases, 10a, which areincident to its fiat formation, and it is for the purpose of eliminatingthese creases and permanently forming the body that the expanding wingsand bumpers, presently described, are employed. Incident to the bodybeing stretched out' by the expanding wings, and the side creasesthereof eliminated, it will assume the final shape illustrated at 10f.

Before describing the means for advancing the can bodies along thehorn,'we will describe the horn supporting means. It is to be understoodthat for the passage of the bodies along the horn it must be possible towithdraw the horn supports for the successive passing of cans, yet thehorn must at all times be held perfectly secure at both ends.

The means here employed for supporting'the horn is best illustrated inFigs. 1, 2 and 4, wherein it is observed that at each end of the horn isa series of upper and a series of lower push rods 50, all arranged atspaced intervals in the vertical axial plane of thehorn with their endsin supporting contact with the horn. The present construction uses sixupper and six lower push rods at each end of the horn. Each rod has theend portion thereof, which contacts the horn,.tapered as at 51, to seatwithin a correspondingly tapered socket 52 in the horn, thus to hold thehorn against longitudinal as well as lateral movement.

It will here be mentioned that, forpurpose of ready repair, it ispreferred that these sockets 'be formed in hardened plates 53 removablyattached to the horn within recesses provided therefor, as seen in Fig.8.

The push rods of the two upper series are mounted at their upper ends inthe ends of horizontal arms 55 laterally extending from the upper endsof slides 56. The slides of the two series are contained respectively insupporting guide frames 5'7--5'7' fixed upon the bed 2 at one side ofand adjacent the opposite ends of the horn with the lower end of eachslide projecting down into the body of the machine, as seen in Fig. 4.

Each of the push rods 50 of the two lower series likewise is adiustablyfixed in the upper end of a vertically reciprocable slide 60, and theseveral slides are mounted in guideways provided therefor in the guideframes 57-57 to extend downwardly therefrom into the body frame of themachine. The lower ends of slides 56 and 60 for corresponding upper andlower push rods are connected by links 62 and 62, respectively, with theopposite ends of rocker levers 63 which are mounted for independentmovement upon supporting shafts 65; these latter shafts being mounted inbearings 65' extended downwardly from the lower ends of the slide frames57-57, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4.

Each of the rocker levers 63, at one end, has a coiled spring 6'7 actingupwardly thereagainst to rock it in one direction, and at its other endmounts a cam roller 68. The cam rollers for the two sets of supports areacted on by cams 69 on cam shafts 70-70 to move them counter tothepressure of the springs. The springs, as seen in Fig. 4, are mounted onguide rods '71 which seat pivotally at their upper ends against therockers and are slidable at their lower ends in guides 72 in the mainframe.

The cam shafts '70 and '70 for actuating the push rods at the oppositeends of the horn, are arranged in alinement and are supported revolublyin bearings '73 provided therefor in the main frame, as seen in Figs. 2and 6. Also, these shafts are equipped respectively with driving gears74-'74 meshing with driving gears 75-'75 on a revolubly mounted shaft'76 that extends lengthwise of the machine, and is supported in bearings'77 cast in the main frame. The shaft '76 is driven from the main shaft32 by means of a gear '78 keyed thereon in mesh with a gear '79 keyed inthe main drive shaft as seen in Figs. 6 and 24.

In the formation of the cams 69 on the cam shafts '70-'70, they areprogressively advanced relative to each other so that they will, inproper sequence, actuate their corresponding rocker levers 63 againstthe pressure of springs 67 to move the upper and lower push rods intosupporting contact with the horn; it being so arranged that at least oneset of upper and lower push rods will be in holding contact with eachend of the horn at all times. By reference to Fig. 2, in which thespacing of can bodies 10 during travel along the hornis indicated indotted lines, it will be observed that two sets of push rods 50 are insupporting contact with the horn at each end, and it is to be understoodthat, by reason of the action 'of the cams 69 against the rocker levers,the rods of each series will in succession be withdrawn from or actuatedinto supporting contact with the horn as is required for the passage ofthe can bodies therealong and without at any time leaving the hornunsupported.

As a matter of safety in the event of a jam occurring on the born, theupper push rod supports of each series are yieldably retained in theirmountings. By reference to'Figs. 4, 4a and 4b, it will be observed thateach push rod 50 is adjustably threaded at its upper end into a bushing85. The bushings are slidably fitted in bores provided therefor in thesupporting arms of their respective slides, and leaf springs 86 haveends fixed by bolts 86a to the arms, with their opposite ends bearingdownwardly against the bushings thereby to yieldably urge the push rodsdownwardly. In the event of a jam of bodies on the horn, the springswill yield and no damage will be done by reason of the rods beingactuated toward the horn.

For the purpose of easy and quick removal of the horn from the machine,for repair or replacement, the bushings are made removable from theirsupports. As observed in Figs. 4a and 4b, the bushing has an enlargedhead a. for limiting its downward travel. This head has a laterallyopening slot 85b into which the end of the leaf spring extends. At oneside, the lower portion of the head is cut away, along the dotted line87 in Fig. 4a. Thus by rotating the head to bring this cut away portionbeneath the end of the leaf spring, the bushing may be released andpulled upwardly, thus to entirely remove it and the push rod mountedtherein, from the arm. Normally the bushing is held against rotation byreason of a radial rib 87a on the lower face of the groove seating in anotch 86b in the end of the spring. A short pin 88 is fixed in eachhead, as a handle for turning and withdrawing the bushing.

To aid in guiding the push rods and to add rigidity to the horn support,the upper push rods are extended at their lower ends slidably throughguides 89 closely overlying the horn, and the lower push rods likewiseoperate through guides 89 closely underlying the horn; the guides 89 and89' being fixedly attached to the guide frames 57-57 as seen in Fig. 4'.

As the can bodies are forwarded successively and in definite spacing,from the hopper onto the receiving end of the forming horn by the lugs22a of feed chains 22--22, they are, after being pushed onto the hornend, engaged and moved along the tapered portion of the horn onto thecylindrical portion by a pair of feed chain belts 90-90 operating alongopposite sides of the horn from its receiving end to slightly beyond thestart of the cylindrical portion. As observed in Fig. 1, the horn tapersinwardly along opposite side edges from the receiving end to thecylindrical portion and the feed chain belts 9090' are supported fortravel closely along these inwardly inclined edges by passing aboutdriving sprocket wheels 91-91 at the forward ends of their run and aboutbelt supporting sprocket wheels 9292 at the receiving end of the horn.The return run of the belt 90' is held clear of the upper push rodslides at one side of the horn by supporting sprocket wheels 93' and 94.At the other side of the horn, belt 90 passes about supporting sprockets93 and .94. The sprocket wheels 92-92 and 94- 94' are mounted bysupporting brackets 95 fixed to the bed 2 at opposite sides of the horn.The driven sprocket wheels 91-91 are each fixed on the upper ends of adriving shaft 96 revoluble in a support 96a fixed to the bed asdisclosed in Fig. 4, and the sprocket wheels 93 are mounted by spindlebolts 9'7 on lateral extensions 98 at the upper ends of the supports Todrive the feed chains 9090 in unison and in synchronism with the feedchains 2222, the

shafts 96--96 are driven from the cross shaft 31 by means of bevel gears9999 fixed on the shaft j the can bodies at opposite sides of the hornas they are received thereonto, and to carry the bodies forwardly andfinally to push them onto the cylindrical portion for fartheradvancement under the action of reciprocating slides, presentlydescribed.

The inner runs of the feed chains 90-90, as seen in Fig. 1, travel alongthe side surfaces of the horn 'uponguide or presser rails 103-103 fixedparallel with the sides of the horn. These bars in their functionalcapacity are supports for the chains and prevent their being outwardlydisplaced from the horn. Thus, as the fiat cans are delivered onto thehorn, the chains 90-90 not only push them forwardly but also exertinward pressure against their opposite side edges. This compressingpressure operates to open the bodies so that there is practically nofrictional contact between the inner surfaces of the bodies and thehorn. In fact the opening of the cans is mainly by reason of thepressureof the converging feed chains and not by reason of the crosssectional shape of the horn although it is desirable that the hornconform in shape to the desired final shape of the can but that it shallbe sufliciently smaller in diameter that no undesirable frictionalcontact between the body and horn will result.

After the can bodies have been advanced onto the cylindrical portion ofthe forming horn, by the feed chains 90-90 they are taken up andadvanced intermittently by the action of a pair of reciprocating feedslides 105-105' slidable in guides 106-106 supported at opposite sidesof the horn parallel therewith as illustrated in Fig.

14. These slides operate in unison and in timingv with the delivery ofcans by the feed chains and they are equipped with two sets of inwardlyyieldable feed fingers 107-107 and 108-108.

forward reciprocal action of the slides they will engage a can bodyadvanced thereto by the chains 90-90 and will advance the body along thehorn to the bumping and expanding station. 0n the next forwardreciprocal action; the advanced can will be taken up by the second setof fingers aand delivered from the expander station to a fartheradvanced position for delivery to the end of the horn. On eachretractive movement of the feed slides, the feed fingers yield outwardlyin passing over .the on coming can bodies and then spring inwardly afterpassing to the rear ends of the cans. The fingers as shown have endspivotally mounted in the slides and their opposite end urged outwardlyby springs 109 bearing against the fingers, as seen in Fig. 14.

The feed slide supports 106-106 have ends fixedly attached to thebearings 96a and. their forward ends fixed to similar bearings 110 for-5Q wardly thereof, later mentioned. Both of which bearings are securedupon the bed 2.

The means for reciprocating the feed slides 105-105' comprises a crankshaft 112 rotatably mounted at the forward end of the body frame inbearings 113. A connecting rod 114 joins the crank 112' of the crankshaft with an oscillating lever 115 that is pivotally supported at itslower end on a cross shaft 116 fixed in the main frame. At its upper endthe lever-has a link 11'7 connecting it pivotally with lugs 118 on aplate 119 which rigidly connects the feed slides beneath the horn. Thecrank shaft is rotated by a bevel gear 120 keyed thereon meshing with agear 121 keyed ondrivenshaft 76. By reason of the use of gears of properproportion,

The first set of fingers is so located that on each the crank shaftcauses the feed slides to reciprocate in timing with the action of thefeed chains and cam shafts.

Mounted'within the horn, at the station to which the reciprocating feedslides 105-105' first advance the can bodies, are the expander wings125-125, as seen in Figs. 8, 12 and 13. These wings are disposeddiametrically of the horn at upper and lower sides. Normally they areretracted to positions flush with the surface of the horn for the easyadvancement of the cans thereover. After a can is advanced to theexpander station, the wings are actuated outwardly thereby to increasethe effective circumference of the horn, and to draw the walls of thebody sufficiently taut to eliminate the creases at the sides thereof.While in this taut condition bumpers are actuated against the walls topermanently iron out the creases to retain the body in final form.

In a preferred construction each expander wing consists of a wallsegment slightly longer than the can body and extending circumferen-.

tially of the horn through approximately one hundred thirty degrees, asseen in Fig. 13. Each wing has two parallel grooves 126 lengthwisethereof in its inner face which are slidably fitted to ribs 127 formedon the body of the horn within recesses provided therein for containingthe wings. Each wing is attached at its opposite ends by shoulder screws130 to a base plate 131, I

These are fitted flatly against the face of the horn beneath the wingand between the ribs. Each base plate is yieldably held drawn inwardlyflush with the outer surface of the horn by the pressure of a spring 132that is coiled about a shoulder screw 133 mounted in the body of the.

horn to extend outwardly through a hole 134 centrally of the plate 131.Thus, the spring, retained by the head-133' of the screw 133, bearsinwardly against the plate 131 and operates to yieldably retain the wingin retracted position.

To provide for a limited amount of yield in the wings, a slightclearance is provided between its ends and the plate, as seen at 135 inFig. 12, and coiled springs 136 seated in sockets 137 in the inner facesof the wings normally hold the wings out to the limit permitted by theshoul der screws 130, but under strain the springs 136 will yield;

The wings are expanded in synchronism with action of the feed slides andthis expanding operation takes place immediately following the 10-eating of a can at the expander station, and during retraction of thefeed slides. The horn expanding means consists of a slide 140 slidablyfitted in an axial bore 141 in the horn. This slide is provided at topand bottom with longitudinal grooves 142 containing rollers 143 whichare retained within openings 144 in the top and bottom walls of the hornand bear against the base surfaces of the grooves and against the baseplates 131 of the wings. For the greater part of their ths, the basesurfaces of the grooves are fiat and parallel with the axis of the slidebut toward their ends have outwardly inclined cam surfaces 145 soarranged that when the slide is actuated forwardly to one limit, therollers in simultaneously passing up these inclined surfaces, will bemoved outwardly, thereby to act against the base plates of the wings tomove the wings out accordingly to expand and stretch the can body. Acoiled spring 146 contained in the bore of the horn acts against theslide to retain it yleldingly in retracted position and the slide of thebumper slides 148-148, presently described, which operate from andtoward opposite sides of the horn. As seen in Figs. 7 and 11 there is atransverse passage 150 through the horn in which tumblers 151 arepivotally contained. Each tumbler hasa mounting pivot 152, also a head153 adjacent its respective end of the transverse passage, .and anextension 154 overlying the end of the slide. Adjustably mounted in thebumper slides 148-148 at opposite sides of the horn are pins 160-160 soarranged that as the slides move toward the horn, these pins engage theheads of the tumblers to rock them inwardly, thereby causing the inwardextensions thereof to engage and shift the slide bar forwardly in suchmanner as to expand the wings. slides move outwardly, the wings retractin accordance with the retraction of the pins 160-160. The bumping ofthe can body is done while the body walls are under tension by reason ofexpanding operation, and the bumping is effected by the following means.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, it will be observed that located at oppositesides of the horn, at the expander station, I are slide mounting bases162-162. These are in alinement transversely of the machine and arerigidly tied together by connecting rods 163 and 164. These bases. areheld rigid relative to each other but are slidable on the top of themain frame to permit of a limited amount of shifting in a directiontransversely of the horn. To secure them functionally in place on thebed plate, guides 165 are fastened by bolts 166 to the bed plate atopposite sides of the bases and these have inwardly directed flanges 167overlying outwardly extended flanges on the bases, thus to permit of theslidable movement of the bases without upward displacement.

Formed in the upper faces of the bases 162 and 162 are guideways 170-170and slidable therein are the bumper slides 148-148, held in place byplates 171 fixed by bolts 171a to the bases along the opposite edges ofthe guideways to slightly overlie the slides. These slides 148-148 arepivotallyconnected respectively by toggle links 172-172 which in turnare pivotally attached to blocks 173-173 located in the outer ends ofthe guideways. The connection provides that by breaking the toggle linksupwardly, the bumper slides will be moved outward- 1y from the horn.

As will be seen in Fig. 5, the toggles are pivotally connected by bolts175 at their centers, with connecting links 176-176 which, at theirlower ends are mounted about eccentrics 177-177 which rotate in unisonand in synchronism with action of the feed devices.

As seen in Fig. 6, the eccentric, 177 is fixed o the rotatably drivenshaft 78, while the eccentric 177 is fixed on a shaft 180 that isdisposed at the opposite side of the machine parallel with shaft 76 inbearings 181-181 in the main frame. This latter shaft is driven insynchronism with the shaft 76 through the medium of a gear 182 keyedthereon in mesh ,with the gear wheel 74, which in turn is driven by gearon shaft 76.

InFig. 5, the bumper slides 148-148 are shown extended, while in Fig.22, they are shown in retracted position. Mounted on the forward face ofeach bumper slide is a bumper bar 183. These bars are arranged so thaton inward action of the slides, they will engage against the can bodyWhen .the

walls to iron out the side creases 100. Each bar has its face shaped toconform to the surface of the horn directly under the body crease, andthe bars are pivotally supported at their ends from their correspondingslides, as at 184 in Fig. 22, in order that they may adjust themselvesto the can wall when actuated thereagainst. The form of the bars andmanner in which they are mounted is illustrated in Fig. 22 which alsoshows the cross sectional shape of the horn at the expander station.

In order to provide for an accurate adjustment of the effective lengthof the toggles, it is provided that one or more shims, as at 185 inFigs. 21 and 22, may be inserted between the blocks 173 and outer endsof the guideways and that the blocks may then be secured thereagainst bybolts 186 extended through the outer end walls of the guideways andthreaded into the blocks.

' It will be understood that with the bases 162-162 slidably mounted,the entire assembly will automatically adjust itself to accomodate anyirregularity of the can bodies or lateral movement of the horn, and willthereby equalize the impacts delivered by, the bumpers against the hornfrom opposite sides so as to avoid damage that otherwise might resultshould the blows be unbalanced.

After the bumping operation has been finished, the cans are then carriedfrom the horn and delivered from the machine into a chute 187 as seen inFig. 23. The conveyer means comprises a pair of conveyer chain belts188-188. These are supported at their delivery ends by sprocket wheels189-189 and at their receiving ends about sprocket wheels 190-190 tooperate closely along the opposite sides of the horn, as seen in Fig. 1.Lugs-191 are fastened to the chains at proper intervals for engaging andadvancing the cans along and finally from the end of the horn. Thechains are driven in unison, and also in synchronism with the deliveryof cans thereto by the reciprocating feed bars, by the rotation of thesprocket wheels 189-189 which are mounted at the upper ends of verticalsupporting and driving .shafts 192-192 revoluble in supporting bearings110-110 attached to the bed plate 2, and previously referred to as thesupports for the forward ends of the feed slide guides 106. At theirlower ends the shafts 192-192 are equipped with'bevel gears 194-194meshing with driving bevel gears 195-195 on a cross shaft 196 revolublein bearings 197 in the main frame and driven by a bevel gear 198 keyedthereon in mesh with a driving gear 199 on the main shaft 32.

The sprocket wheels 190-190' are mounted, as seen in Fig. 1, by spindlebolts 190a and 19% which are fixed in supports 1900 and 190d located atopposite sides of the horn. The outer runs of these two feed chains188-188 are carried at their delivery ends about sprocket wheels 189aand 18% mounted on the supports 110 and 110, and at their receiving endsby sprockets 190a and 190i rotatably mounted by the supports 1900 and190d.

The conveyer chains are held closely adjacent and against outwarddisplacement from the opposite sides of the horn by guide bars 188a. and18% which have ends fixed to the supporting brackets 190c-190d and tothe bearings 110- 110'. Also the horn is longitudinally cut away as at400 in Figs. 2 and 4 for travel therein of the chain lugs 191.

It will be mentioned here that by this cutting away of the horn forreception of the feed lugs of chains -90' and 188-188 as well as for thefeed fingers. on the reciprocating feed bars, permits the horn to belifted free of the machine without displacing these parts.

When the formed cans are delivered from the forming horn, they arereceived within a guideway 200 and are conveyed therealong from themachine by conveyer chains 201-201 operating lengthwise of the guideway.As seen in Fig. 2, these chains extend about sprocket wheels 202-202located at the receiving end of the guideway on a cross shaft 203. Theunder runs of the belts extend rearwardly from wheels 202-202 and overand back around sprocket wheels 204-204 on a cross shaft 205 thenforwardly about sprockets 206-206 on a cross shaft 207. The lower runsof the belts then ,extend rearwardly about sprocket wheels 208-208 on across shaft 209, as seen in Figs. 2 and 24.

Cross shaft 207 is driven by a sprocket chain belt 210 operating aboutsprocket wheels 211 and 212 on the shafts 196 and 207, respectively, andthus the conveyer chain belts are operated in timing with the'candelivering means.

In Fig. 23 it is shown that the machine is thrown into or out ofoperation by a hand lever 215 pivotally supported as at 216 by a bracket217 attached to the frame at the receiving end of the machine. The lowerendof the hand lever is connected by a rod ,218 to the lower end of alever 219 at the opposite end of the machine. This latter lever has acentral, pivotal support, at 220 and a connection at its upper end witha clutch shifting collar 223 operable to throw the belt pulley into andfrom gear with the main shaft 32.

Assuming the machine to be so constructed, it operates as follows:

Flat formed cans 10 are stacked in the hopper and will be fed by thefeed screws 13-13 and chains 22-22 in succession onto the horn 40. Thechains 90-90 then-advance them along the tapered portion of the horn andby an in'- ward application of pressure thereagainst, cause the cans tobe opened out without any damaging frictional contact with the horn. Thechains 90-90' then deliver the bodies onto the cylindrical portion ofthe horn where they are taken up and advanced, by intermittentmovements, by slides 105-105 to the expander station.

While at rest at the expander station, the wings 125-125 are actuatedoutwardly to stretch the body, then the bumper slides 148-148 areactuated inwardly against the opposite side thereof to iron out the sidecreases 10a, and placing the body in its final form. The bodies are thendelivered along the horn by the reciprocating feed slides 105-105' tothe conveyer chains 188-188 and are deposited by them in the conveyerguideway 200to be delivered therefrom by the chain belts 201-201 intothe chute 187. v

During the delivery of the cans along the horn, all parts of the machineoperate in synchronism to cause the cans to be advanced in proper tim-'ing and spacing, and the push rods 50 actuated in proper timing forpassage of the cans along the horn without at any time leaving the hornunsupported.

In the construction it is to be observed that all parts required to beso, are adjustably attached to the bed 2 so as to permit of their 'beingmoved outwardly or inwardly as is required to accommodate cans ofdifferent size. Thus, it is only necessary to make a proper adjustmentand to apply a horn of proper size to make the machine applicable forcans of various sizes.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letters-Patent is- 1. In a machine of the characterdescribed, a forming horn, means whereby can bodies of flat,

cross-sectional form may be fed onto the horn at one end, movedprogressively along the horn and delivered from the opposite endthereof, said horn being shaped so as to expand said flat can bodiesinto substantially cylindrical form as they are moved along the same. i

2. In a machine for shaping can bodies, a forming horn, means wherebycan bodies of flat, crosssectional form may be fed onto the horn at oneend, moved progressively therealong and delivered from the opposite endof the horn, said horn being shaped so as to expand said flat can bodiesinto substantially cylindrical form as they are moved along the same andsupports for the horn retractable therefrom to permit the passage of thebodies.

3. In a machine for shaping can bodies, a forming horn, supportsengaging the horn at spaced intervals lengthwise thereof, means forfeeding can bodies of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at oneend and for advancing them progressively along the horn, and from itsopposite end thereby expanding the bodies to open form and 1 meanssynchronized with the action of the body feeding and advancing means forretracting the supports from supporting contact with the horn asrequired for passage of the bodies therealong.

4. In a machine for shaping can bodies, a form- 1 ing horn, a series ofupper and lower supports engaging the horn at opposite ends at spacedintervals lengthwise thereof, means for feeding can bodies of flat,cross-sectional form onto the horn at one end and for advancing themprogressively 1 along and fromthe horn at its opposite end thereby toexpand the bodies to open form and means synchronized with the movementof the bodies along the horn for successively actuating the supportsfrom supporting contact with the horn as required for passage of thebodies therealong.

5. A device as in claim 4 wherein the first and last horn supports ofeach series are spaced apart a distance greater than the length of thebodies to permit of constant support of each end of the 1 horn withoutinterruption of travel of the bodies.

6. In a machine for shaping can bodies, an elongated horn, provided atopposite ends in opposite faces with a' series of sockets spaced atintervals lengthwise of thehorn, push rods arranged 1 above and belowthe horn with ends seated in said sockets for supporting the horn, meansfor feeding cans of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn atone endand for advancing them progressively therealong and from its oppositeend thereby to 1 expand the bodies to an open form, and means operatingin synchronism with the body feeding means whereby said push rods aremomentarily retracted from the horn as required for uninterrupted travelof the bodies therealong. 1

7. In a machine for shaping can bodies, an elongated horn formed atopposite ends in opposite faces with a series of sockets spaced apart inthe lengthwise direction of the horn, rod guides at opposite sides ofthe horn, push rods slidable 1 in said guides and having ends seated insaid sockets for supporting the horn, means for feeding can bodies offiat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at one end and forprogressively advancing them therealong and from the horn at its 0p- 1posite end, thereby to expand the bodies to open form, rocker armsoperatively connected with said push rods, a cam shaft rotating insynchronism with the feed mechanism and cams on the shaft operativelyengaging the rocker arms to actuate the push rods from supportingcontact with the horn as required for uninterrupted travel of the canbodies.

8. In a machine for shaping can bodies, an elongated horn, means forfeeding can bodies of fiat, cross-sectional form onto the horn at oneend and for advancing them progressively along the horn and from itsopposite end thereby to expand the bodies to open form, rod guidesarranged above and below the horn, a series of push rods mounted in thelower guides to engage the horn at intervals spaced lengthwise thereof,a series of rods in the upper guides in alinement with rods of the lowerseries, a reciprocally movable slide operatively connected with each ofthe rods, a series of rocker arms, centrally pivoted and operativelyconnected at opposite ends with the slides of corresponding upper andlower push rods, a cam shaft revolving in synchronism with the can bodyfeeding means and cams on the shaft for actuating the rocker arms tosuccessively withdraw corresponding upper and lower push rods from thehorn for uninterrupted travel of the bodies along the horn.

9. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn, means forfeeding can bodies of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn and formoving them progressively therealong and from its opposite end,expandable means associated with the horn and over which the bodies arepassed and means for expanding said means while each body is locatedthereon to open the body to cylindrical form.

10. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn having atapered end, means for feeding cans of flat, cross-sectional form ontothe horn at its tapered end, body expanding means incorporated in thehorn, means for conveying the can bodies delivered onto the horn byintermittent movements onto and from the said expanding means andmechanism operating in synchronism with the conveying means foractuating the body expanding means while the bodies are at rest thereon.

11. In a machine of the character described, an elongated forming hornhaving a tapered end, means for feeding can bodies of flat crosssectional form successively onto the horn at its tapered end, bodyexpanding wings incorporated in the horn for passage of the can bodiesthereover, means for progressively conveying the bodies received ontothe horn by intermittent movements onto and from the expanding wings,and means synchronized with the conveying means for actuating the wingsto stretch the bodies to open form.

12. In a can body forming machine, a forming horn, body expanding meansincorporated in the horn, means for conveying can bodies of fiat crosssectional form onto the horn at one end and for advancing themprogressively along the horn onto and from the expanding means,mechanism synchronized with the body conveying means for actuating theexpanding means while the bodies are located thereon to expand theirside walls to open form and crease removing bumpers operable insynchronism with the expanding means against the side edges of thebodies while thus expanded. v

13. In a machine of the character described, a

forming horn, means for feeding can bodies of fiat, cross sectional formsuccessively onto the horn, body expanding means incorporated in thehorn, means for progressively conveying the can bodies along the hornonto and from the expanding means, means synchronized with the action ofthe conveying means for actuating the expanding means while each canbody is located thereon to expand the side walls of the body tocylindrical form, and means for bumping the side edges of the body tocylindrical form while it is thus expanded.

14. In a machine of the character desc ibed, an elongated horn ofcylidrical form tapered at one end, means for feeding can bodies offlat, crosssectional form successively onto the horn at its tapered end,a pair of body expanding wings applied within the horn at opposite sidesand over which the bodies may pass, yieldable means for retracting thewings, body conveying means operating in synchronism with the bodyfeeding means for advancing the bodies along the horn by intermittentmovements onto and from the expanding wing, a pair of bumpers operableagainst opposite side edges of the bodies to shape them to cylindricalform and means operable coincident with action of the bumpers to actuatethe wings to expand and stretch the side walls of the body tocylindrical form.

15; In a machine of the character described, a horn, body expandingwings applied within opposite sides of the horn, means for successivelyadvancing can bodies of fiat, cross-sectional form onto and along thehorn and onto and from the expanding wings with opposite side walls ofthe cans overlying the opposite wings, means for actuating the wingsoutwardly to stretch and shape the side walls while located thereon tothe shape of the wings, and bumpers operable against opposite side edgesof the bodies while stretched to shape them to the underlying surfacesof the horn.

16. In a machine of the character described an elongated horn, a pair ofcan body expanding wings fitted within upper and lower surfaces of thehorn across which opposite side walls of the bodies may be moved, meansfor feeding can bodies of flat, cross sectional form onto the horn atone end and for advancing them progressively therealong by intermittentmovements onto and from the expander wings, a pair of crease removingbumpers located at opposite sides of the horn and operable together inopposed relation against opposite side edges of the bodies whilepositioned on the expander wings and means actuated by the bumpersduring their bumping action to expand the wings to stretch the sidewalls of the body to the shape of the wings.

17. In a machine of the character described, an elongated horn taperedto a flat edge at one end, a pair of body expanding wings fitted withinthe upper and lower faces of the horn, yieldable means normallyretaining the wings retracted flush with the horn surface for passage ofcan bodies thereover, means for feeding can bodies of' fiat,crosssectional form successively onto the horn at its tapered end,reciprocating means for intermittently advancing the bodies along thehorn onto and from the expander wings, a pair of bumpers located atopposite sides of the horn, means for actuating the bumpers insynchronism with the reciprocating means to bump the side edges of thebodies into cylindrical form, means movable within the horn foractuating the wings outwardly to expand the side walls of the can bodiesto cylindrical form, coincident with the functional movement of thebumpers.

18. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn, means forsuccessively feeding cans of flat, cross-sectional form onto the horn, apair of body expanding wings fitted in the horn at opposite sides,yieldable meansfor retracting the wings for passage of the can bodiesthereover, a bar reciprocally movable in the horn between the wingshaving cam surfaces thereon, bearing members interposed between the saidcam surfaces and the ,wings and whereby movement of the bar againstpressure of the spring causes an expanding action of the wings, a springyieldingly retaining the said bar at one limit of travel, tumblerspivoted in the horn and engaging the bar for actuatingitto its oppositelimit of travel for expanding the wings, .means for advancing the canbodies along the horn by intermittent movements onto and from theexpander wings, a pair of bumpers at opposite sides of the horn operableinwardly against the side edges of the bodiesto shape them to theunderlying surfaces of the horn, and pins' mounted by the bumpers andengageable, as the latter. move inwardly, with the said tumblers tomovethe can bar to expand the wings and thereby to expand theoppositeside walls of the body to the form of the wings and to maintain tensionthereon during the bumping operation, j

19. In a machine of the. character described, an elongated forming hornand means for delivering can bodies of substantially flat,cross-sectional form onto the horn at one end and'for moving themprogressively therealong for -expanding their side walls tosubstantially cylindrical form and delivering them from the horn at itsother end; said horn being tapered and flattened at its receiving end toa thin edge for easy passage of an open end of a flattened bodythereover and said edge having a width substantially equal to that ofthe flattened body.

20. In a machine of the character described, an elongated forming hornand means for delivering cans of substantially flat, cross sectionalform onto the horn at one end and for moving them progressivelytherealong for expanding them to open form and delivering them from thehorn at its other end;' said horn being of cylindrical form and of adiameter to substantially flt ,the expanded bodies and tapered at itsreceiving end to a thin edge substantially the width of the flattenedbodies, and inclined with respect to the axial direction of the horn tofirst enter the can end just within that side edge thereof.

21.'A device as in claim 20 wherein the thin edge of the horn at itstapered end is provided at its forward end with an extended fingerserving as a pilot adapted to enter the can bodies as presented theretoclosely within a side edge thereof.

22. In a machine of the character described, an elongated horn taperedat its receiving end to a thing edge, means for feeding can bodies offlat, cross sectional form endwise onto the horn over the thin edge andfor moving them progressively along the horn and off the other endthereof, and guide rollers disposed in spaced relation adjacent the saidedge ofthe horn and between which the can bodies are delivered andguided thereby onto the horn.

23. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn, means forfeeding can bodies of flattened, cross sectional form onto the horn atone end and for moving them progressively theretween them.

along to expand them to the form ofthehom and for delivering them fromthe opposite end of the horn; said horn having upper and lower facesthereof at its receiving end flattened and brought together in'a thinedge of a width substantially equal to that of the flattened bodies andinclined relative to the end edges of the bodies as delivered theretoandprovided at its forward end with a pilot finger adapted to enter thebodies adjacent that side edge thereof, and guide rollers mounted aboveand below the point of the pilot and by which the bodies are guidedthereonto for easy passage onto the horn.

24. A device as in claim 23 wherein said guide rollers have movablesupports with yieldable means bearing thereagainst for retaining therollers in close relation but permitting them to yield outwardly forpassage of the can bodies be-.

25. In a machine of the character described, an elongated horn, meansfor feeding can bodies of flattened, cross sectional form onto the hornat one end and for moving them progressively therealong to open them outto the cross sectional form'of the horn and for delivering them from thehorn at its other end; the body portion of the horn being of cylindricalform and terminating at its receiving end in a thin flat edge portionsubstantially the width of the flat bodies when presented thereto andhaving its opposite side surfaces gradually diverging from said edge 7and merging evenly into the cylindrical body portion of the horn tomaintain a circumference at all points along the tapered portion equalto that of the cylindrical body portion.

26. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn tapered atone end to receive can bodies of flat, cross sectional form thereonto,and means for feeding cans in succession onto and progressively alongthe horn, and whereby pressure is gradually applied inwardly againstopposite side edges of the bodies as delivered along thev receiving endto cause. the bodies to open out to the form of the horn withoutmaterial frictional contact with the horn.

2'7. In a machine of the character described, a forming horn graduallytapered at its receiving end to a thin edge, means for delivering canbodies of flat, cross sectional form onta 'the tapered end of the hornand means operating along opposite sides of the horn for advancing thecans therealong and whereby inward pressure is applied to the bodies atopposite sides as they are advanced thereby to open them out to thecylindrical form of the horn.

28. In a machine of the character described, an elongated horn, meansfor feeding can bodies of flattened; cross sectional form ontothe hornat one end and for moving them progressively therealong to open them outto the cross sectional form of the horn; said horn being of cylindricalform and terminating at its receiving end' in a thin fiat edge portionsubstantially the width of the flat bodies when presented thereto andhaving its opposite side surfaces gradually diverging from said edge andmerging evenly into the cylindrical body portion of the horn and withopposite side edges extending from the opposite ends of the flat edge,converging in straight lines into the 145 cylindrical body of the horn,and means operating along opposite side edges of the horn at itsreceiving end to advance the can bodies there-' along and for applyinginward pressure against the edges of the bodies as they are advanced.

